STATE TIMES NEWS
SRINAGAR: A building that houses the deputy commissioner’s office in Shopian was set on fire by a crowd on Sunday after clashes erupted between security forces and protesters. More than 50 people were injured in the violence, an official said.
The incident came on a day an all-party delegation arrived in the Valley to hold talks to end a wave of violence triggered by Hizbul Mujahideen militant Burhan Wani’s killing on July 8.
No official was present in the building when it was attacked, the police control room said.
Several people were earlier injured after forces fired pellets and tear gas shells to disperse protesters in Pinjura village of the district.
Residents said violence broke out after the police and CRPF personnel tried to disperse a protest rally.
The all-party delegation will review the ground situation and explore ways and means to end the ongoing unrest that has paralysed life in the Valley.
Seventy four people — 71 civilians and three local policemen – have killed in clashes since Wani’s killing.
In another incident, a mob torched the house of a People’s Democratic Party leader in Kulgam district, where chief minister Mehbooba Mufti had gone on Saturday to offer condolences to a man whose son had been killed in the violence. The PDP leader had facilitated Mufti’s visit to the family of Mashooq Ahmad, almost two months after his death.
Protesters asked Gulzar Ahmad Shaikh to quit the PDP and ensure the release of four youth arrested for protesting against the CM’s visit. Anger against the PDP is growing. House of leaders have been targeted and many asked to leave the party.
